Menendez, Watson Coleman, and McIver Host Town Hall on Protecting Our Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tonight, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) held a town hall to hear directly from New Jersey residents as communities across the country grapple with aggressive immigration enforcement and rising concerns about holding the Trump Administration accountable. This town hall comes after the Representatives held a legal observer information session last week to help inform residents how to safely document ICE and immigration enforcement officers' conduct, empowering individuals with concrete skills and knowledge to protect their rights.

"Now more than ever, coming together as community members could not be more critical to keeping our communities safe," said Congressman Rob Menendez. "That's why we're holding town halls and information sessions to hear directly from our constituents, demand accountability from this Administration, and make sure people know their rights. We will keep showing up and fighting to protect our communities."

"What we're seeing from ICE in New Jersey, Minnesota and across the country is despicable, and our constituents feel the impacts of these lawless operations on our communities," said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. "The American people are relying on their elected officials to not only hear their concerns, but provide clarity, guidance, and solutions. I'm proud to work with my fellow Members of the New Jersey delegation to do so. We will continue to keep our constituents up-to-date so that they can do their part to help hold the DHS accountable and keep their families safe from future operations."

"Fear is the tool this administration relies on, but New Jersey will not be intimidated," said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver. "ICE is terrorizing our communities, and people deserve to know their rights and where to turn for help. That is why I am proud to join Rep. Menendez and Rep. Watson Coleman to get people the resources they need through tonight's town hall and our collective efforts. I am committed to keeping my office a resource for all New Jerseyans-providing information, answering questions, and standing with our neighbors."

During the town hall, the Representatives addressed the killings of two American citizens by immigration enforcement officers in broad daylight in Minnesota, the escalation of aggressive immigration enforcement, and recent actions they've taken to push for the closure of private immigration detention centers across New Jersey, as well as newly filed articles of impeachment against the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") Secretary Kristi Noem that Congressman Menendez co-sponsored.

Congressman Menendez will be hosting a Know Your Rights information session with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) on February 5th at 4:30 PM over Zoom. Constituents interested in joining or receiving updates can sign up here.

Since coming to Congress, Congressman Rob Menendez has been a leader on fighting for immigrant rights. Menendez is an original cosponsor of articles of impeachment for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, has called for the end of ICE, and led efforts to demand that ICE agents identify themselves when conducting enforcement operations. Earlier this month, Menendez was on the ground in Minnesota for a field hearing, listening to the testimony of victims of ICE and DHS's abuses and state and local elected officials. Last year, Menendez, Watson Coleman, and McIver were conducting legal oversight at the Delaney Hall detention facility when they were confronted by over 20-armed ICE and HSI agents in an incident that gained national attention.

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